Truck side frame



- May ,10-, 1927.

'D. s. B RRows 'TRUCKSIDE FRAME 2 ShetS-Sheet 1 Filed March 16; 19zs' s. B ARRows mick, SIDE FRAME Filed'Maroh 16, 1925 2 Sh etS-She et 2' Ill) Patented llilay lltl, l9??? DONALD S. BAEROWS, 01F ROCHESTER, NEW] YORK,

COMPANY, 01 NEW YORK, N. L, A COBIQOHFLTZON OF TllAR-YLAND.

TRUCK STEDE FRAME.

Application filed March 16, 1925.

lfhis invention relates to side frames for railway car trucks and more particularly to such frames in which secondary stresses are miuin'iized by the provision of nonrigid connections between members thereof.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered. is the provision of a truck side frame which is relatively light in weight and in which deleterious bending stresses in members thereof and secondary strains, particularly at the junction of said members. are minimized by the provision of non-rigid joints at such junctions.

An object of my invention is the provis on of a strong and easily manufactured truck side frame in which the compression member relatively still", the tension member relati vely flexible, and the ends of said members are connected by means of keys passing through slots therein, provision being made for assembling said members under initial stress.

Another object of my invention is the manufacture of an ellicient truck side frame composed of three main elements, a compres sion member, a tension member which may be single or double, and a strut for spacing intermediate portions of said members, the

' joints between all three members being of a non-rigid type whereby secondary stresses and undesirable. bending in said members are minimized.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a n vel method of connecting compression and tension members in a truck side frame whereby if a plurality of tension members is em aloyed the stresses therein are equalized and provision is made for preventingr loss of the connecting keys.

A. still further object of my invention is the provision of a desirable and easily manufactured truck side frame in which a cast compression member. formed with integral dependingbolster guide portions, is utilized, said member having journal boxes rigidly connected thereto and also provided with housing portions adjacent the ends thereof, said portions being; slotted for the reception of keys for connecting said member to a tension member.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a flexibly connected truck side frame especially adapted for minimizing secondary strains in the members thereof,

Serial No. 15,856.

lther objects and advantages of the invention having; to do with the particular de tails of elements and combinations of parts. will become more apparent the description proceeds. I

in the drawings which have beenchosen to illustrate certain embodiments of my invention:

Figure 1 is a sideelevation with the parts thereof in section, showing a truck side frame constructed in accordance with my invention. and separable journal boxes bolted at the ends thereof.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 9. 2 of Figure 1., looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a partial side elevation of a truck side frame showinga modification.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is apartial side elevation of a. truck side frame showing a further modification of my invention. 7

Figure 7 is a sectional view on the line 77 of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Before attempting to describe the various embodiments of my invention in detail, it may be desirable to consider the underlying principles governing the construction of a truck side frame in accordance with my invention.

The usual side frame is in the form of a three panel truss without diagonal or web members in the middle panel. In theory a truss of this form centrally loaded would not require these web members because the supporting forces at one end would equal tit) panels of the frame.

those at the other and there would he no unbalanced shear in the middle panel to he transferred. Hence, the middle panel would theoretically retain its shape without (listortion because of QH tIt'QI shear on one side than on the other. Practi'ally, however. the sustaining: forces are never exactly equal and there are longitiulinal forces which would tend to dis-itort' the middle panel to one side or the other.

The clearance nec-eseary tor the end hoh star and the holster springs makes it impossible to complete the middle panel and the necessary resistance against unhalanccd vertical forces must he provided for in the joints at the four corners ol said panel. This is a condition ailiecting all side f :UIHS employing the usual holster springs.

In the typi 'al liame under conaidcration the upper member is continuous; over the three panels and in direct compression tor its entire length. This t'olilpltnnttm produces a proportionate shortcuiiur in each of the three segments; zhore the corrcsaionding The vertical members separating the panels are in tenaion under load and their length is thcrcl'ore proportionatel increased. The lower truss memher is in tension throughout its length and therefore each Segment thereof lengthened under load.

During three siumltzmcoun individual deil orn'ialionu as a whole the side l'rame under load changes in shape slightly so that the angles between various members thercol' are altered. A uuperlicial inspection will show that in the center panel the upper interior angles are changed from amiroximateli' right to ohtuse angles. and the. lower ones from approximately right to acute angles. In like manner, the three interior anelcn in each end panel are altered trom their original angularities. lt is ohtioun that in a tame Without piu-connected joint the natural tendency ol' each angle to alter is resisted by the rigidit oi the atria-turn and therefore a heading; streas is: induced in each intersecting member at each panel point. Analyses of destrimtion tests of rigid side frame and inspection o't' these i antes which have hrolteu in fair service point to one or another of these local bending); moments as the ultimate cause at "failure.

Fi o tor the foregoing: anal r n has horn lased on the assumption that the load is applied to panel points and that no memher ol' the tran'ie has been obliged to function as a beam, in addition to carrying its direct stress due to truss action. in practice, the load, is; applied to the usual side traine over a part of the distance hetn'ecn the holster ruide portions so that the lower member helon' said portions and carrying: the springplank.

l an a partially distributed load in, addition to direct teninon. The effect of this lead on the usual integral t pcv of side Came in to ease the carrying .Iftitll'lliti' to assume a de-' tlcrtiol'i curve. which nlaltcn the strains on certain portions oil the l'ramc so much more acute.

According to my intention l proposo to reduce these secrnulanr or hcndim; t-il'tZSStfh' Which ma he and are very apt to he the cause 0'! 'l'ailure in z-icrricc. h y suliiat tutiup; non-rigid tor the rigid joints lictween the various members in the usual 'tfllll'l of rust SitlO frame.

in the tlltt\\'ll1 {fin which corresponding parts are denio'natcd h similar reference characters. and consider-hug lirst l igures ll, 2 and i), there in illustrated a truck aide frame compris-aingr a compression mernher S which iin'et'c'ablr an integral. casting l ormed with depending: holster guide portionst S) and 11 and end portions l2 and 13. There end portions may he termed with integral journal llOHGH or. as illustrated in the drawings, may have substantially horizontal flanges or \tehs it and t5, respectively, adapted to receive holts l6 and 1.7, for re :ipectivel t'fll'ltttt'illtll' journal hoxeze th and .15) thereto.

its more clearly shown in .l ig nrc 2. the ends of the compresnion memhcr are preferalily formed with u pluralit of housing portions or hoods El and :52 'lormiiur puck-- ets "Z3 and illhetu'cen the main portion of the tt)i1l} )t't:4i:l )lt incmhc' and the outuuu'dl) spaced \i'eho .25 and ill. reaptu'livcly, on rach side of said con prcasiou member.

A nlot is provided etteudiiu through each end ol the. comprewion mcmher and lute"- sectinc; the \VtltFJ and :26 an well as the main portion ol the comprtn-sion mcmher;

it will he soon that the outer portions of this slot are shallower or whortoc than the inner portimns. that in. the slola I and 1% through he \i'ehs 535 and til rcs'prctively. are 1-=horter than the slot ill) through the main portion oil the compr f-llttll momhcr. 'lho purpose of this comjstru t ou. on will he apparent from l igure if. in to proi'idr tor the inscrtion and locking in place o a main li't t member 5 This he: mcmhar. although n'el'e'alily 'lo-uied a. ilhaitratcd. may he othcrwioe shaped and is rhown count-dim: tn'o tension Hltllllitlkt ifi and iii). rca;:ectively, to the comprcs-- iou uicndzcr t hut it. is ()lJYl' ous that if desired, a Single tension member might. he used.

The lower 'l'uc." ol the slob is prel'crahly curved or dovetailed 'lor 0YE)P1" 'l1\f,lf cn o'au'cmcnt with th curved (al ege l-t oi an equalizer momhcr or E-llltl 3. 3. liet teen the main key ill and equalizer momhcr 35 a tapered lacy or Wedge uuunhcr Elli la inoerlcd for applying the initial ntressn to the coniected memherr: and locl zinti' the main key 31 in place h r raising: it ahorc the lower edge of the housing portions it and 2:1, rc-

llti

that there is no'radical ditierenee except in the connecting means between the tension members 3; and 3 and the ctmipression member 8*. ln this modification no hooded portion surrom'uling the ends of the tension members: provided on the compression member. said tension members merely being connected to the main body of the compression member 8 at both ends thereof by means oi main g'ibbed hers ill. Said keys extend thronn'h slots lo and i in the tension members and through a slot 29 in each end of the c 'nnprcssion member as in the previous. nualiticatimi. The lower wall of the slot. 25 is pret'erabl widened to extend through the slots 38 and it). as illustrated in Figure 5. and is formed with dove-tailed or tapering pockets (S2 and till into which corresponding wei'lnes or tapercd l-tevs ti-t and 5 mav be driven after assembly of the parts. Thi se wedges (H- and (35 may be applied in place by heating blocks of metal to a suitable temperature. driving them in place and upsettimg; them to tit said pockets and hold the compression and tension members in assembled relation under the proper initial stress.

slightly ditlerent term o t connection between the ends of the compression member 8" and the journal boxes 19" is shown in this modification in that said C(HtlpTGSSlOH memher is provided with downwardl and out- \vardlv flaring: webs or dances to and (iti which overlie and are adapted tor connection with. e irresi'iomling portions ol? the journal box. Except for the foregoing there is no substantial ditlerence between this modification and the previous one.

lle 'erriimto Figures ti and 7. another modification is illustrated in which the only substantial dill'erences with respect to the second modification just describetfl. are that the ends of the compression member 8 are wider than the saddle portions on the strut member l6" so that the tension members as -3a are notparallel but are divergent rmtwardlv. as illustrated in Figure 7. A gribbod lviev ll" is employed as in the previous modification but the same is held in place. not by metal forced into dovetailed pockets. but by an auxiliary lrev 67 which may be sl ghtly tapered and have the ends thereof bent over at 68 and (it) after assembly of the parts. thereby preventing accidental loss thereot.

To assemble the various elements ot the ride frame according" to my invention. the strut or saddle meml'ier f) may first be confltli'tttl to the com jn'ession member 8. the tension members inserted in place engaging the seat portions 51. ot said strut member. and the ends of the tension member inserted in the hooded portions at the ends of the compression member. or adjacent said ends it no hooded port-ions are employed. The

initial stress in the members can then be secured by holding the tension members tiehtlv against the strut member and applying); the desired Force to the ends of the compression member while the keys and wedges are inserted in place.

it will be a} )parent that in view of the foregoing a strongand GCOIIOITllOZll side frame for 'ailwav car trucks may be provided, said frame being: lighter in Weight than hcretot'orc tor the same strength because deleterious and possibly critical bendiug stresi-ees are eliminated by the provision of non-rigrid joints between the various 1nenrbcrs thereof at places where annular deformation normally tends to occur. On account of the side 'lrame being" Formed as three main parts, that is. the compression element. the tension element which may be single or multiple as desired, and the strutor separator element. ialin-ication of such a side frame is facilitated because of the avoidance of the necessity 'lor manutactun inn- (Xlittltielk lare'e c: stings.

llv virtue ot the her connection between the compression and tension members with provision tor equalizing the stresses in said tension members even though their lengths di'll' er slightly. at side frame may be constructei'l in which all the parts carry their required loads very ellicientlv and the connecting members. such as the main keys and auxiliary lce vs or wedges. are prevented from loss either by overlappili e. portions of the hooded construction on the compression member or by eibs ln'ovidcd on the main key members then'iselves.

In the embmliments illustrated the tension members are shown as bciur twisted through approximatclv ill)" from the contra portions thereof to the end connections with the com pression member but it obvious that such construction is not essential although probabl v prete able from a manu tacturing; standpoint.

Having: now described my invention, l claim:

1. A truck side frame comprising!" a cast; con'ipression member. a relatively flexible tension member. and means intet'st-cting the adjacent ends oi said members and connectin; them with the formation oi non-rigid joints therebetween.

Q. A truck side frame compri ing a cast. compression member 'tormed with slotted poehets in the ends thereof. a relatively flexible tension member formed with slotted ends engaging the pockets in the ends ot the compression member. aml means (Xi'tlltlil1 $l' thronah the slots of both members for securely connect-in; them while allowing angular adjustment tzherebetween.

ii. A truck side frame comprising a compression member formed with slotted pockets in the ends thereof, a tension member proill) too

ill]

vided with slotted ends received in said pockets, and a key passing through said compression and tension members at each I end thereof for securely connecting them.

4. A truck side frame comprising a cast compression memberprovided with slotted housings at opposite ends thereof, the outer slots being-shallower than the inner slots, a relatively flexible tension member provided with slotted ends engaged in said housings, keys extending through the slots in said compression and tension members, and wedges insertedunder said keys for applying an initial stress on said members and moving said keys beyond the lower edges of the slots in the outer portion of the compression member housing whereby loss thereof is prevented.

5. A truck side frame comprising a cast compression member formed with aplurality of housings in each end thereof, tension members extending between corresponding housings in the ends of said compression member, the ends of said tension and compression members being-formed with cooperating slots, a main key extending through said slots and connecting said compression member to a plurality of tension members at the ends thereof, an equalizer extending be tween housings in each end of the compression member, and atapered key inserted between the main key and equalizer to apply the initial stress to the members and prevent loss of the main key.

6. A truck side frame comprising a cast compression member, a relatively flexible tension member, the cooperating ends of said members being provided with corresponding slots, and a gibbed key inserted through corresponding slots in said members for uniting them while allowing angular adjustment therebetween.

7. A truck side frame comprising acompression member, a tension member, said members being formed with cooperating slots in the ends thereof and the compression member being clove-tailed adjacent the lower portions of the slots therein, a gibbed key inserted through corresponding slots in said members for connecting them and held in place by rigid 'means inserted adjacent thereto.

8. A truck side frame comprising a relatively stiff compression member, a relatively flexible tension member, a spacing strut between intermediate portions of said members, and means forming non-rigid joints connecting corresponding ends of the compression and tension members and connecting said spacing strut to said compression member.

9. A truck side frame comprising a relatively stiff compression member, a relatively flexible tension member, a spacing strut between intermediate portions of said members, means intersecting the corresponding ends of the compression and tension members to connect them with non-rigid joints therebetween, and non-rigid connecting compression member.

l0. A. truck side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, a spacing strint between intermediate portions thereof, the corresponding ends of compression and tension members being slotted, keys oints between the spacing strut and the extending through said slots and connecting said members, the adjacent portions of said compression and strut members being perforated, and means extending through corresponding perforations in said members for connecting them.

11. A truck side frame comprising a compression member, a tension member, a spacing strut between intermediate portions of ends of saidmembers, a spacing member between intermcdiate portions of said compression and tension members, said spacing member having a central portion forming a spring plank seat and saddle for the tension member, and upwardly extending arms nonri 'idly connected to the bolster guide portions of the compression member.

, 13. A truck side frame comprising a cast compressionmember formed with depending bolster guide portions and hooded end portions formed with slots extending through the ends and hooded portions thereof, a tensionmember, the ends of which are received in said hooded portions of the compression member, and keys extending through compression and tension members for uniting the same.

14. A truck side frame comprising a cast compression member formed with depending holster guide portions and hooded end portions formed with slots extending through the ends and hooded portions thereof, a tension member extending on either side of said compression member, the ends of each tension member being received in the hooded portions of the compression member, keys extending through the corresponding portions of the two tension members and compression member, the bearings for the keys in the hooded portions of the compression member being so arranged that said keys are placed in quadruple shear by the tension r ll moujilimrs, and means extending between in termediate portions o'l eompreseion and tention z'nembers.

iii. A truck side t'rarne comprising a 11st LL'iltllii'QrtSlOll member 'tort'iiied with depending hohiter guide portions and end portions each tormcd with a pluiality ot' housings, a tentI-ltill member e:- :tcnding between correepont'linn; honisinge in opposite ends (it the comon member, the cooperating portions ,id eonipreanion and tension members slotted, hers extending through the tyioinlino slow in the tension and cornpro on number, wedges inserted under said horn to place the tom-mm and compression members under initial etreres and force the how beroml the upper edge ot' the outer lioio intf portions oi the eompreseion mem; berwhereby low: tticrcot in prevented, and means p:u:in;5 said bolster guide portions trom the tension member.

us. A. truck side t'ranie comprising a cast mmpreasion member tot-med with hooded end portions proridiim; boueings for two ttllrtlll members, two tens-ion members et-;- tcndiu r between opposite ends o'l said oompreeaion member on opposite sides thereof, aid compre -=ion and tension men'ioere being provided with cmre1- poiulin5; slots, 21 hey imertcd through said slots in the respective nnanibcrta an equalizer poeitioned beneath naid hey whereby tension memljiers ot Slightly uneunal length may be utilized, and a wedge mcniber inserted between said key and equalizer to place the member-n under initial stress.

17. A tint-l: eide trame ron'iprising a coinpreseion member formed with depending lioluttr gruide portions and provided with slots crtending through the ends thereof, two tension members extending between the ends ot' the compreesion member on opposite t-idm thereof, the ends o't said tension membcn bonny; formed with corresponding nlots, and a gril'zbed he at each end of the cotnpreeuion and tension incmljiere extending through the slots of said .u'iembere and supporting a tension member trom the compres- :--'ion member at each side thereof.

it. A. trurl; ride 'lraine eompriaing :1 cast trompre rion member tot-med with slotted end portions, a teneion member on each side ot the eompio on membe and formed with u corresmouding elot in each end thereof, the slots in the con'ipreneion inen'iber being dovetailed in the lower portions thereof, a ribbed he extending through correspond* ing; Shit-5 and uniting the two tension niem here with the QOIt'llDl'QSFtlOII member, and means for lot-hing said horn in plaee inaerted below said here in the dovetailed portions in the compression member.

19. A truck side frame comprising a cast conrpreesion member formed with depending bolster guide portions and hooded end por- .neaaaoo tions formed with slots extending through the ends and hooded portions thereof, a tension member the ends of which are received in said hooded. portions of the compression member, keys extending through compreseion and tension members for uniting the name, and a strut engaging the intermediate portion of the tension member and non-rigidly conuerted to the bolster guide portions of the compreeeion member.

20. :r truel: aide 't' 211116 eomprit-sin g a cast con'ipression member formed with bolster guide portions and end portions formed with slots therein. a tension member pro- \ided with slotted ends, here extending through the eorrespoinliug portions; of said compression and tension members for uniting the same. a strut: provided with a curved saddle portion engaging the intermediate portion ot' the tension member and spacing it from the compression member, and pins intersecting the ends ot the strut and corresponding holster guide portions for conriveting; said strut and compreesion member.

ill. it truel; aide l'ramo comprising a cast; roni ncs,-don member t'ormcd with depending" lJOlF-i'tl ,gruide portion? and hooded end portionn tormed with alota ertteriding; through the endo and hooded portions thrreot, a tension member on either side ol said cinnprcsaion member extending into a hooded portion oi the comprotznion member rnd tormcd with correepondinn slots, low n extending through said slots tor uniting raid tension members with saidconun'esaion member. and a etrut provided with upstanding arms pin-connected to the bols-iter guide mrtionts of the eompreos iion member and provided with curved saddle portions engaging said tension members and spacing them with respect to the compressionmember. i

22. A truck side trame comprising a unitnr i eoi'npreenion member formed with depending bolster guide portions, a relatiively flexible tension i'ncn'lber, the ends of eaid members being apertured adjacent the points of (OlillOtjfi'lOtl tlierel'Jt-itween and means extending through eaid apertmres for connecting said members nmrrigidly.

23. A. eompro-reion member "tor truck aide frames termed as a 'ZflSllDQ' with integral bolster guide portions, the ends ot said member being formed with transversely extending" slots adapted to receive means for connecting it with the corresponding tension IHQHlbGl.

EM. :li (:on'ipreesion member for truek side lilflll'lQS comprising an integral casting formed with depending bolster guide portions, and hooded end portions formed with slots extending through said ends and hooded portione thereof for connection with the corresponding tension member.

524,". A strut -tor spacing compression and tension members in a truck side frame comprising an lntegral castlng formed with a central portion, the upper face of which is provided with means for supporting the spring plank and the lower face of which is provided with a curved saddle portion for cooperating with the tension member, said strut being provided with upstanding arms on the ends thereof for non-rigid connection with a compression member.

26. Spacing means between compression and tension members in a truck side frame comprising an integral member formed with a central portion and upstanding arms, the upper face of the central portion adapted for supporting a spring plank, the lower face being curved for cooperation with a tension member, the ends of said upstanding arms being perforated for receiving means for connecting the same with a compression member.

27. The method of connecting the compression and tension members in a truck side frame comprising forming the ends of said members with registering slots, assembling said members in cooperative relation, passing a key through each set of cooperating slots, and forcing a wedge member adjacent the key in the corresponding slot to provide initial stress in the members.

28. lhe method of connecting the compression and tension members in. a truck side frame comprising carrying the ends of the tension member up inside a housing portion on each end of the con'ipressiou member, said compression and tension members being provided with cooperating slots, passing a key through said corresponding slots, and forcing said key up be yond the lower edge of the housing slot whereby it cannot be displaced sideways.

29. The method of connecting compression and tension membersin a truck side frame comprising forming the compression member with housing portions in the ends thereof, forming slots through said housing portions and the ends of said compression member, forming the upper portions of the slots in the housing portions lower than the corresponding portions of the slots in the compression member, forming corresponding slots in the tension member, inserting the ends of the tension member in the housing portions of the compression member, inserting a key through slots in said members, and driving a wedge member below said key to force it against the ends of the tension member slots and provide initial stress in the members, and lock said key in place between the housing portions.

30. The method of connecting compression and tension members in a truck side frame comprising forming housing portions in the ends of said compression member, forming corresponding slots through the housing portions, compression member and tension members, inserting a key through said corresponding slots, inserting an equalizing shim member with a convex surface engagii'ig a corresponding surface on the compression member, and inserting a wedge member between said key and equalizing shim whereby the initial stress in both tension members will be substantially equal regardless of slight variations in length.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature.

DONALD S. BARROVVS.

corresponding 

